TURIN 2006 WINTER OLYMPICS:USG SITUATION REPORT

UNCLAS SECTION 01 OF 02 ROME 000869 SIPDIS SENSITIVE PASS TO TRANSPORTATION SECURITY ADMINISTRATION (TSA) AND GENERAL ACCOUNTING OFFICE (GAO); DEPARTMENT ALSO FOR S/ES-O, S/CT, EUR, DS, AND CA E.O. 12958: N/A TAGS: ASEC CASC CMGT ECON IT KOLY OVIP PTER PARALYMPIC GAMES SUBJECT: TURIN 2006 WINTER OLYMPICS:USG SITUATION REPORT (SITREP) # 11 03/20/2006 REF: ROME 000868 ¶1. (SBU) The following cable provides information on security, public diplomacy, and consular activities in Turin, Italy, for the 2006 Winter Olympic Games. KEY POINTS -------------- ¶2. (U) This is the final Situation Report from the USG office supporting U.S. participation in the Turin Winter Paralympics. The Closing Ceremonies for the 2006 Winter Paralympics was a rousing success, as summed-up by Luca Pancalli, President of the Italian Paralympic Committee, when he stated in the Italian daily Corriere della Sera, "these were the most beautiful winter Paralympics in history." Security cooperation between the USG and hostlaw enforcement authorities was excellent throughout the Paralympics. At the Closing Ceremonies, Lonnie Hannah , a member of the bronze medal-winning U.S. Sledge Hockey Team was named recipient of the Whang Youn Dai Prize. The award is designed to recognize Paralympic athletes who exemplify incomparable spirit for sports and humanity.Lonnie Hannah was also elected by the four other US team captains to be the flag bearer for the United States in March 19 Closing Ceremonies. Russia led the final medals count with a total of 33 medals. The United States placed seventh with 12 medals. Although Italian national television did not broadcast the Closing Ceremonies, it received extensive coverage in the Italian press. There were no requests for Consular services for March 19. Consular and Security operations in support of the Paralympics ends Monday, March 20. Full coverage of the Paralympics can be found on our websites; Olympics.USEmbassy.IT and Milan.USConsulate.Gov SECURITY ISSUES -------------- ¶3. (U) The Closing Ceremonies concluded with no credible, specific evidence that terrorist groups had planned to target the Paralympics. Also, there were no demonstrations or disruptions during the March 10-19 Paralympics or at the closing festivities. Italian law enforcement maintained a successfully organized Paralympics. Cooperation between the USG Olympics Security Coordination office and Italian authorities was outstanding throughout the Paralympics. ¶4. (U) The USG interagency OSC, JOC, and TIC will shut down operations on Monday, March 20. PUBLIC AFFAIRS -------------- ¶5. (U) Though the Closing Ceremonies of the 2006 Winter Paralympics was not broadcast on Italian national television, it received extensive coverage in the Italian press.National daily Turin-based La Stampa carried an article by Tiziana Nasri, President of the Organizing Committee for the Paralympic Games in Turin, who proudly indicated that 163,000 tickets were sold during the Paralympics, generating over one million Euros. Nasir further indicated that because of the strong support for sledge hockey during the Paralympics, Turin may host the 2008 Sledge Hockey World Cup. CONSULAR AFFAIRS -------------- 6.(U) Consular Section Turin had no requests for services on Sunday, March 19. Consular operations in support of the Paralympics ends Monday, March 20. SPOGLI